Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul grew up in the San Fernando Valley, California. She began taking dance lessons when she was eight. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she was senior class president and head cheerleader. After graduating in 1980, she started college at Cal State-Northridge, majoring in TV and radio. After joining the L.A. Lakers cheerleaders, she became head cheerleader/choreographer after only a few months, eventually dropping out of college to dance and choreograph full-time. She was recruited by The Jacksons to choreograph their 1984 "Torture" video, the first in a long list of videos and movies she would choreograph. She branched out into singing with her first CD, "Forever Your Girl", which had lackluster sales until the single "Straight Up" exploded onto the charts in December 1988 and she has been a popular singer/dancer ever since, enhanced by her stint as a judge on the hit series American Idol (2002). See full bio on IMDb »

It's been two years since they clashed on "American Idol," but Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell made nice and reunited to judge the first auditions for "The X Factor" in L.A. on Sunday.It's as… READ MORE >

Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are about to be re-united -- she has now officially signed on to be a judge on his new "X-Factor" show ... this according to reports. Paula only closed her deal last… READ MORE >

Don't plan on seeing Nicki Minaj at the judges table on "X Factor" -- TMZ has learned the rapper will NOT be taking a gig on the show. Rumors of Minaj's participation on the show have been… READ MORE >

Paula Abdul made a frantic and tearful 911 call during a Valentine's Day drive with a boyfriend -- repeatedly screaming, "Drop me off!" ... and TMZ has obtained the recording.During the call --… READ MORE >

Paula Abdul's new show "Live to Dance" was absolutely painful last night ... especially for one wannabe superstar who face-planted ...and instantly sprouted a GIANT golf ball-sized welt on her… READ MORE >

Sources connected with "American Idol" tell TMZ ... execs on the show recklessly rolled the dice by choosing Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as the new judges.Our "A.I." spies tell us producers… READ MORE >

Paula Abdul will make her triumphant return to "American Idol" tomorrow night -- and she's making damn sure she looks better than everyone else. Abdul rolled over to the really fancy ... and… READ MORE >